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Debates help voters make better decisions

Alamogordo News

Posted:
08/15/2014 10:50:38 PM MDT

We understand that for candidates, agreeing to participate in a debate is often a tactical decision. Those with a comfortable lead may see little advantage in risking a misstep that could turn things around, while those trailing want every opportunity they can get to chip away at the leader.

But for voters, debates aren't about protecting a lead or mounting a comeback. They are the best opportunity available to see the two candidates address the issues head to head. A well-moderated debate can get beyond the talking points and carefully packaged campaign commercials and get to the heart of the issues that are most important to voters.

Which is why we were disappointed to learn that Gov. Susana Martinez had declined an invitation from the New Mexico Press Association to debate her opponent, Gary King, during the association's annual convention on Sept. 27. The governor turned down the invitation without explanation, said Press Association Executive Director Phil Lucey, adding that he was hopeful show would reconsider. If not, King will have the stage to himself, fielding questions from reporters and editors in attendance.

While that may help the challenger better get his message out, it will not be nearly as helpful to voters as a full debate would be.

King's campaign sent out a press release recently announcing that they had agreed to participate in five debates, and called on the governor's office to accept.

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The Martinez campaign has thus far agreed to only two forums, including the Domenici Conference at NMSU, where Martinez will speak at 8:15 a.m. Sept. 18, and King will follow at 12:45 p.m. But more events will be scheduled in the coming days, they said.

"We are committed to having additional debates as the election draws closer. We are also working on the details of TV debates with several major network stations this week," campaign spokesman Chris Sanchez said in an e-mail to the Sun-News on Thursday.

We recognize that demands for their time grow greater as the election grows nearer, but we encourage not only the gubernatorial candidates but all candidates to attend as many public forums and debates as possible.

Attentive voters will spend the next few weeks sizing up the candidates and looking for all the information they can find to make an informed decision. Those seeking public office should do all they can to assist in that process.

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